Two days that could make or break Brexit
Disagreement over Irish backstop and cabinet unrest means November EU leaders summit could make way for ‘no deal’ planning
Brexit negotiations are entering a make-or-break 36-hour period, amid reports that no-deal contingency planning could be ramped up unless a deal is signed off between the UK cabinet and Brussels by Thursday morning.
Much hyperbole has surrounded the negotiations over the past two and half years, but it is no exaggeration to say the next two days are crunch time for Theresa May.
Following a frantic back-and-forth between UK and EU negotiators over the weekend that extended well into Monday morning, The Times, the Daily Mail, Financial Times and The Sun all concluded Britain has until Wednesday evening to strike a deal.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Downing Street said that there were still “substantial issues still to be overcome” in relation to the so-called backstop measure aimed at preventing a hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland.
On a day of high drama in Westminster, a Downing Street spokesman downplayed the prospect of an imminent Brexit deal despite a report in the FT that the main elements of a Brexit treaty text were ready to present to the UK cabinet today.
“Technically speaking, the text is ready. But there is no political agreement from their side,” a senior EU diplomat said.
The delay means cabinet ministers will not discuss whether to sign off the deal at the regular cabinet meeting today, “although Brexit will be on the agenda” says The Independent.
The Guardian goes further and suggests that Britain “has all but given up on a special Brexit summit at the end of November as there remain too many sticking points to complete the talks in the time originally hoped for”.
“This means having to authorise No Deal projects for new IT systems and projects to protect Britain’s borders” says The Sun. The paper reports that 15 November is also the deadline for Ministers to place an order for ships to bring in necessary supplies and to put plans in place to stockpile medicines in case of a chaotic no deal.
One source said: “It’s going down to the wire. If it doesn’t happen this week it will have to be a December summit – and it all gets much tighter”, raising the question of whether there is even time to get a last-ditch deal through Parliament before Christmas.
The BBC reports that a growing number of Tory MPs are warning the prime minister that her Brexit plan will not be approved by Parliament, while Labour's Brexit spokesman Sir Keir Starmer has said MPs will not allow the UK to leave without a negotiated agreement and “technically” the whole process can be stopped.
Economists polled by Reuters last week said there remains a one-in-four chance that London and Brussels will fail to reach a deal on the terms of departure.
“It’s important to remember Number 10 urgently needs this done now, which may yet be enough to force the issue”, says Politico. “So for all the gloomy messages being pushed by both sides — and for all Theresa May’s domestic strife — don’t be too surprised if the breakthrough suddenly happens, and fast.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Saint Paul de Vence: a paradise for art lovers
The Week Recommends The hilltop gem in the French Riviera where 20th century modernism flourished
By Alexandra Zagalsky Published
-
'People in general want workers to earn a decent living'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
What might a Trump victory mean for the global economy?
Today's Big Question A second term in office for the 'America First' administration would send shockwaves far beyond the United States' shores
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
What is the next Tory leader up against?
Today's Big Question Kemi Badenoch or Robert Jenrick will have to unify warring factions and win back disillusioned voters – without alienating the centre ground
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What is Lammy hoping to achieve in China?
Today's Big Question Foreign secretary heads to Beijing as Labour seeks cooperation on global challenges and courts opportunities for trade and investment
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Britain about to 'boil over'?
Today's Big Question A message shared across far-right groups listed more than 30 potential targets for violence in the UK today
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
UK's Starmer slams 'far-right thuggery' at riots
Speed Read The anti-immigrant violence was spurred by false rumors that the suspect in the Southport knife attack was an immigrant
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The Tamils stranded on 'secretive' British island in Indian Ocean
Under the Radar Migrants 'unlawfully detained' since 2021 shipwreck on UK-controlled Diego Garcia, site of important US military base
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Britain's Labour Party wins in a landslide
Speed Read The Conservatives were unseated after 14 years of rule
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Will voter apathy and low turnout blight the election?
Today's Big Question Belief that result is 'foregone conclusion', or that politicians can't be trusted, could exacerbate long-term turnout decline
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published